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Abdur Rahman Khan, Emir of Afghanistan

(died 1901), Reigned 1880-1901

Sitter in 1 portrait
Abdur Rahman Khan officially became Emir at the Durbar on 22 July 1880. A history of family rivalry climaxed into a seizure of Herat by a relative, Ayub Khan. Abdur Rahman retaliated by leading a force from Kabul, defeating Ayub's army and forcing him to flee to Persia. During his 21 year rule in which he became known as 'The Iron Emir', he prevented the country from becoming occupied by British India or Russia by keeping diplomatic relations with them. He reached agreement with Russia on the demarcation of the north-western border of Afghanistan with Russia. He initiated internal reforms by reorganising his administration and imposing an organised Government upon a divided nation.

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Abdur Rahman Khan, Emir of Afghanistan, by Unknown photographer - NPG P1700(58c)

Abdur Rahman Khan, Emir of Afghanistan

by Unknown photographer
printing-out paper print, 1897-1901
NPG P1700(58c)

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